The 5 key battles that would win or lose the sport for Milan in opposition to Atalanta
AC Milan are getting ready to tackle Atalanta this night and as all the time, there are some battles that would determine the result of the sport. From Rafael Leao to Mateo Retegui, the important thing gamers are somewhat apparent.
Following the 4-0 win in opposition to Udinese, Milan can be seeking to lengthen their profitable run tonight, whereas additionally boosting their confidence forward of the Coppa Italia decider in opposition to Inter. Atalanta, in the meantime, need to cement their spot within the high 4.
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Sergio Conceicao isn’t anticipated to make any modifications to the beginning XI, , and Atalanta will solely make one change. As such, figuring out the important thing battles is somewhat simple, as we have now finished under.
The important thing battles
Ranging from the again, from Milan’s perspective that’s, it’s clear that every one three defenders must hold a detailed eye on Mateo Retegui. Nonetheless, seeing as Matteo Gabbia can be within the centre, it’s doubtless that he can be up in opposition to the league’s high goalscorer extra (a minimum of within the air).
Retegui at the moment has 23 targets within the league and he wants simply of 24 targets with La Dea. Gabbia, in the meantime, was his common composed self in opposition to Udinese and can be seeking to hold one other clear sheet. The battle of the Matteos (virtually).
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On the right-hand facet, Alex Jimenez is poised to play from begin once more and we will make sure that Ademola Lookman will drift large to tackle the Spaniard, additionally making use of Davide Zappacosta’s overlap.
Lookman scored the winner within the reverse fixture and he has 18 targets in complete this season, which could be very spectacular. That being stated, he hasn’t scored or assisted in his final 4 league video games, so kind maybe isn’t on his facet.
In midfield, Tijjani Reijnders is usually the inventive supply for Milan and it’ll doubtless be Marten De Roon’s job to close his compatriot down. The skilled midfielder performs a tricky recreation, everyone knows that, and he gained’t shrink back from giving the Rossoneri No.14 a number of knocks.
Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures
Reijnders, as such, must use all of his expertise to get previous the 34-year-old who, admittedly, doesn’t have velocity on his facet anymore. The 2 know one another nicely so in that sense, it needs to be a really fascinating battle.
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Additional up the pitch, Rafael Leao can be seeking to bag his first league objective at residence this season (!). He each scored and assisted in opposition to Udinese, so kind shouldn’t be a problem, however maybe the struggles will proceed a San Siro.
The winger needs to be up in opposition to Odilon Kossounou, not Rafael Toloi as first anticipated, so will probably be fascinating to see how the teen will deal with the Milan star. Kossounou undoubtedly has extra tempo than Toloi, which can be wanted.
Lastly, whereas he didn’t rating or help in opposition to Udinese, Luka Jovic nonetheless performed an vital position for Milan. Certainly, his potential to drop down and act as a hyperlink between midfield and assault allowed the likes of Leao and Christian Pulisic to seek out house.
It simply stays to be seen if Atalanta’s Isak Hien will be capable to hold the Serbian from attending to the ball within the first place. The Swede could be very sturdy and will certainly give his opponent a tough time, however the Milan man could be very skilful on the ball.
